Phil Taylor will face a rematch with Australian hotshot Corey Cadby as he begins his assault for a third successive Perth Darts Masters title at the PCEC on Thursday evening. Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen will lock horns with home-favourite Kyle Anderson, in a repeat of their second-round clash in Sydney.

Taylor has a magnificent World Series record in Australia, and won his fourth straight title in Sydney with victory over Van Gerwen in a thrilling final last weekend. The 56-year-old has won both stagings of the Perth Darts Masters, but Cadby will be hoping for revenge.

Taylor began his Sydney Darts Masters campaign with a 6-3 victory over the 21-year-old Tasmanian, but Cadby, who has won seven DPA titles in 2016, will have gained a great deal of experience from his TV debut last week.

Michael van Gerwen will be aiming to clinch his maiden World Series crown down under. The Dutchman was edged out 11-9 by Taylor last week, but he has an instant opportunity to bounce back, which begins with an enthralling clash against Kyle Anderson, who was beaten 10-6 by MvG last week.

World champion Gary Anderson will go in search of his fourth World Series title of the year with a tie against Kim Lewis. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ whitewashed the 54-year-old in this event twelve months ago, and he’ll be hoping for a repeat performance this time around.

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will take on former world finalist Simon Whitlock in the pick of the first round matches. Van Barneveld was beaten 6-1 by Kyle Anderson in Sydney, whilst Whitlock suffered a 6-2 loss against Peter Wright, so both will be determined to bounce back.

Former Auckland Darts Masters winner Adrian Lewis will take on Perth-based David Platt in the opening round, whilst eight-time major winner James Wade takes on twos-time World Championship qualifier Rob Szabo. Wade’s participation in this event was in doubt, but he has overcome a virus to compete.

Finally, Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright will be aiming to build on their semi-final appearances in Sydney with ties against Koha Kokiri and Adam Rowe respectively. Kokiri qualified for last year’s World Championships, whilst Rowe appeared in the 2015 Perth Darts Masters.

The TABtouch Perth Darts Masters continues on Friday with the quarter-finals at the PCEC before concluding on Saturday with the semi-finals and final, with the tournament being broadcast live on Fox Sports.